Therefore, My Dear Brothers And Sisters, Stand Firm. Let Nothing Move You. Always Give Yourselves Fully To The Work Of The Lord, Because You Know That Your Work In The Lord Is Not In Vain
Death, Where Is Your Sting?
1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-58
“So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord
.”I Corinthians 15:54-58 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.15.54-58.NKJ
It seemed like Satan had victory in the Garden of Eden (GENESIS 3) and at the cross. But to the glory of God, Jesus Christ turned that apparent victory of Satan into defeat when Christ rose from the dead (COLOSSIANS 2:15; HEBREWS 2:14-15). Thus, neither sin or death has a hold on us because Jesus Christ overcame it at the cross, and through Christ we will overcome all including sin, shame, and even death.
O death, where is your sting?
No longer can the law make sinners out of us just because we cannot keep it, for we believers live not by keeping the Law, but rather by faith and the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Both sin and death has been defeated, and we have hope beyond the grave.
Does that mean we can continue in sin? Of course not, by the Spirit of God in us.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1 NKJV
Sometimes we become discouraged about serving the Lord because we don’t see any tangible results.
But Paul tells us, because of the resurrection, nothing we do is useless; all things are individual pieces of God’s overall plan.
Knowing that Christ has won the ultimate victory should affect the way we believers live.
Don’t allow discouragement over any apparent lack of results keep you from doing the work of the Lord enthusiastically as opportunity comes.
We believers don’t always see the fruits of our labour, but God does and the blessings are piling up in heaven for you.
God will always make opportunities to reach out to people, but not everyone will be willing to listen. Furthermore, many need some kind of healing and deliverence, but not not all are willing or ready to receive.
Furthermore, no matter how many trials and challenges you have overcome, there will always be more. But God uses all them for your good, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Romans 8:28-29 NKJV
James tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NKJV
To be so confident in Christ that one needs nothing, would be an awesome place to be.
Furthermore, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:5-8 NKJV
We can choose to put our trust in God, or in ourselves or people or other gods like the star gazers and such as these.
God doesn’t take away your choices, but when one chooses his own way over Jesus way, he will in time painfully pay for it.
When we choose Jesus way, we shall in God’s timing, have the long term victory and build our faith.
If you ask God for wisdom, He will give it, but if you don’t walk in His wisdom, it will profit you nothing.
Jesus said, ““Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV
When you put Christ and His righteousness first, all will be added to you. Not some, but all! You my beloved, shall lack nothing.
God will make opportunity for provision, but we believers must use the opportunity and steward that provision well, if we don’t, life will become difficult, that’s how God teaches us.
I encourage you, whatever troubles, trials or challenges you are facing right now, You already have victory through Christ who is your strength even when it doesn’t seem that way.
My beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord is not in vain.
Furthermore my brethren, stand strong in your faith, for our Almighty God tells us in ISAIAH 41:10: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Truly I tell you, the victory is already yours through Christ who is your strength.
All Glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
